View full sizeIndians pitcher Justin Masterson was inconsistent last season following an impressive 2011 campaign.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Now that it's February, spring training really does seem right around the corner.

Or, at least in Goodyear, Arizona, where Cleveland Indians pitchers and catchers will report by Feb. 12 and the full squad by Feb. 15.

Then, on Feb. 22 -- three weeks from today -- the Indians will open their exhibition season schedule against the Cincinnati Reds, the team they share the Goodyear Ballpark facility with.

The Indians open their 2013 season on Tuesday, April 2 in Toronto against the Blue Jays, and play their home opener on Monday, April 8 against the New York Yankees.

Might Travis Hafner be in the Yankees lineup when they visit Cleveland? The left-handed hitting designated hitter played the last 10 seasons with the Indians -- the last five of them derailed by injuries, after he had driven in at least 100 runs in every season from 2004-07. Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' story on the one-year contract deal Hafner has agreed to with the Yankees.

Also, Hoynes reports that the Indians have reached a deal on a minor league contract with relief pitcher Matt Capps, 29, who has 138 major league saves but as a Minnesota Twin was hampered last season with a sore right (pitching) shoulder.

And, with work by David I. Andersen and Chuck Crow, a video report and photo gallery on the Indians' equipment trucks beginning the journey of well over 2,000 miles to the Arizona desert.

The Indians have made numerous moves after finishing last season 68-94.

Jake Dungan, writing for Indians Prospect Insider, compares the Tribe's starting rotation at the beginning of the 2012 campaign to what it could be come April.

One thing that won't change from last season is that right-hander Justin Masterson will be a key to the rotation. What could change is his performance, Dungan writes:

Of all the regression the Indians’ starters had last season, Justin Masterson has the best chance of rebounding. Following the 2011 season where the right-hander broke out and took charge of the rotation, the new Indians ace struggled in 2012 and was plagued with inconsistency. There were games where he looked like he could pitch a complete game, then days where he labored to make it through the first couple innings. However, the circumstances all appear to be in place for Masterson to get back on his game in the upcoming season.

First off, Masterson will be reunited with former manager Terry Francona, who managed him in Boston. That past relationship may help ease some of the tension off of Masterson. Second, Masterson admitted that he had issues with his non-throwing shoulder last season which affected his delivery. Francona has assured he is healed now.

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